Wolfsburg’s sporting director Klaus Allofs has told Bild he is hopeful his side can sign Switzerland international Ricardo Rodriguez to a new contract, following the defender’s impressive World Cup performances which have seen him linked to a host of top European teams, including Manchester United.

At 21, Rodriguez was also one of the best left-backs in the Bundesliga last season, notching up five goals and nine assists in 34 games to help Wolfsburg to a fifth place finish, and the club had spoken of their desire to tie him to a new deal back in April.

However, with talks still to be held, whilst United attempt to ship Patrice Evra out, rumours of a potential move to Old Trafford have been rampant in recent weeks, though whether it would be a sensible piece of business for the club is open for debate.

Having two seasons left to run on his current deal, Rodriguez’s value is said to have risen from €8million to €28million since turning heads in Brazil, and the side have added Luke Shaw for £30million in the meantime to fill the same position.

With United also being linked to Ajax’s Daley Blind in recent weeks, the Dutch international would seem to be the more practical target, given his familiarity with new boss Louis van Gaal from the national team setup, as well as his versatility to line up in midfield alongside Shaw in the starting XI.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old is reported to command a fee of only £12.5million – a verifiable bargain when compared to his fellow World Cup star, although the Swiss standout does appear to come out on top in the stats department, albeit from a small sample size.

Team

Pos

Accurate Cross / apps

Won Tackle / apps

Effective Clearance / apps

Duel Won / apps

Interception Won / apps

Won Contest / apps

Fouls / apps

Pass %

Apps

Mins

Ricardo Rodriguez

Switzerland

DF

1.00

4.00

3.75

9.00

2.50

1.00

0.75

81.51

4

390

Daley Blind

Netherlands

DF

0.14

2.29

2.29

5.00

1.71

0.14

1.43

87.43

7

670

Rodriguez is no doubt an intriguing transfer target for some of Europe’s major clubs, but whether he would be a good fit for United, as van Gaal looks to bolster his squad ahead of his first season in charge, is far from definitive.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.